Gayle Anderson was live in Santa Monica for today’s “Lose 5 with 5 segment”, which focuses on the health, economic and environmental benefits of biking. May is National Bike Month, a celebration sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists since 1956 that encourages Americans to bike to work or school.
Story Summary
Lose Five With Five- May Is National Bike Month
Gayle Anderson was live in Santa Monica for today’s “Lose 5 with 5 segment”, which focuses on the health, economic and environmental benefits of biking. May is National Bike Month, a celebration sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists since 1956 that encourages Americans to bike to work or school.
More than two-thirds of the U.S. adult population is overweight or obese, costing our nation more than $68 billion in healthcare and personal costs annually. In addition, more than one in four kids are overweight. Biking provides the opportunity to lose weight and get fit since May is also National Physical Fitness and Sports Month!
Biking is a great way to squeeze regular exercise into a hectic schedule. A study of nearly 2,400 adults found that those who biked to work were fitter, leaner, less likely to be obese, and had better triglyceride levels, blood pressure, and insulin levels than those who didn’t actively commute to work. Because of the health benefits, cyclists on average take 15% fewer days off from work for illness than non-cyclists.
Besides health and fitness, biking reduces your carbon footprint. Cars are the single largest source of U.S. air pollution. Did you know that short trips are up to three times more polluting per mile than long trips? When bicycling is substituted for short auto trips, 3.6 pounds of pollutants per mile are not emitted into the atmosphere.
Biking also reduces traffic congestion and saves you money. Bicycle commuting saves on parking fees, parking tickets, fuel costs, auto maintenance costs and transit fares. According to analysis by the League of American Bicyclists, Americans saved more than $4.6 billion by bicycling instead of driving in 2012 alone. Bicyclists are also less likely to be affected by traffic congestion. Whether they ride on bike paths or roads, bicycles are much more maneuverable than automobiles. Wide lanes, shoulders and bike lanes provide space for bicyclists to ride right past traffic and on to work.
With increased interest in healthy, sustainable and economic transportation options, it is not surprising that the number of bicycle commuters in the United States grew by more than 47% from 2000 to 2011 according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. Biking build morale, encourages camaraderie, and is a great way to get active in your community.
The League of American Bicyclists represents the interest of the nation’s 57 million cyclists. With a current membership of 300,000 affiliated cyclists, including 25,000 individuals and 700 affiliated organizations, the League works to bring better bicycling to your community. The League of American Bicyclists was founded in 1880 as the League of American Wheelmen, whose advocacy on behalf of early bicyclists led to our national highway system.
For more information, visit Bike League.
In honor of National Bike Month, the folks at Currie Technologies want to tell you about their IZIP and eZIP line of hybrid electric and electric bicycles. These e-bikes are made with quality frames and components, utilizing superior technologies for both experienced and novice riders. The IZIP line is Currie Technologies’ premium line of electric bicycles. eZIP electric bicycles and scooters with speeds up to 15 mph are great commuter vehicle options for going to work or the supermarket. The eZIP line offers 3 electric bicycle models and 6 electric scooter models in a range of different colors and frame designs.
Currie Technologies is the largest and longest operating e-bike company in North America. Our electric bicycles are designed, manufactured, and distributed by the most experienced team in the industry, and are subjected to multiple quality assurance checks before they are approved for shipment to customers. All IZIP and eZIP bicycles come with industry leading warranty and support. For more information, visit Currie Tech.
You can rent an electric bike at The IZIP Store in Santa Monica. All renters must be at least 18 years old with a valid form of identification and credit card. Reservations are recommended. To make a reservation, call (310) 310-8846. For rental rates, click HERE.
If you are not ready to abandon your vehicle permanently, try bike commuting during the month of May in honor of National Bike Month; or during National Bike to Work Week from Monday, May 13th through Friday, May 17th; or just for a day during Bike to School Day on Wednesday, May 8th or Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 17th!
Don’t forget to tune into KTLA every day in May for every newscast for tips on health and fitness. You too can “lose 5 with 5″!
May is National Bike Month
The League of American Bicyclists
1612 K Street NW, Suite 800
Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 822-1333
National Bike to School Day 2013: Wednesday, May 8th /// National Bike to Work Week 2013: Monday, May 13th through Friday, May 17th /// National Bike to Work Day 2013: Friday, May 17th
The IZIP Store
2803 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 310-8846
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If you have questions, please feel free to call Gayle Anderson at 323-460-5732 or e-mail Gayle at Gayle.Anderson@KTLA.com
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